Annual Hymn Sing Highlights Tradition of Worship

Cedarville University’s Old Fashioned Hymn Sing combines the rich history of worship music with a look toward its future. This annual event will take place April 19 in the Recital Hall of the Dixon Ministry Center; it will be free and open to the public.

This event will feature the singing of traditional hymns, led by Susan Plemons, assistant professor of worship. For Plemons, this time of singing is a powerful reflection on the history and the tradition of worship music.

“It’s a look back at our heritage and the great hymns,” said Plemons. “This is a refreshing time for the students because so much of what they do is contemporary music.”

Student involvement is another key component of the event, which will feature a handbell choir composed of students in a worship administration class learning and practicing church musical ensembles.

Three select students will be recognized at the event as winners of the annual songwriting competition held by Cedarville University’s Department of Music and Worship. All entries were judged by an internationally renowned, award-winning panel of judges including Laura Story, Rick Lee James and Mark Harris.

The event blends the beauty of heritage and the traditional hymns of the past with a celebration of young songwriters and the future of worship music, explained Plemons. It makes for a unique and powerful experience.

“It is a great time to worship in a different way from how we typically worship in chapel,” Plemons said. “And I think it sometimes touches you in a different way when you are connecting across so many generations. You can feel the body of Christ come together.”

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.